What is Android OS?

The Android OS is an open source operating system primarily used in mobile devices. Written primarily in Java and based on the Linux operating system, it was initially developed by Android Inc. and was eventually purchased by Google in 2005. The Android operating system is symbolized by a green colored Android Robot logo.

The development of the Android OS was a result of the consortium of the initial members of the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) such as Google, HTC, Dell, Intel, Motorola, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, Samsung, LG, T-Mobile, Nvidia, and Wind River Systems back in November of 2007. The OHA is a business alliance of hardware, software and telecom companies dedicated to advance the cause of open sourcing for mobile phones.

Based on the modified version of the Linux kernel version 2.6, the Android code was released by Google under the Apache license which is also a free software and open source license.

The Android OS consists of numerous Java applications and Java core libraries running under the Java-based object oriented application framework and the Dalvik Virtual Machine (VM). Dalvik is integral for the Android to run in mobile devices as these systems are constrained in terms of processor speed and memory.

Different Android versions

Android Donut (v1.6)
Android Eclair (v2.0)
Android Froyo (v2.2)
Android Gingerbread (v2.3)
Android Honeycomb (v3.0)
Android Ice Cream Sandwich (v4.0)
Android Jelly Bean (v4.1)
Android KitKat (v4.4)
Android Lollipop (v5.0)
Android Marshmallow (v6.0)
Android Nougat (v7.0)
Android Oreo (v8.0)
Android P Beta(v9.0)